Anifa Mvuemba on the African Diaspora and Black Innovation
Black people are often called resilient. We continue to survive the unthinkable while leaving the world more beautiful and equitable than we found it.
More than resilience, it’s our innovation and ability to see what is not yet present—justice, joy, autonomy—and bring it to life. Anifa Mvuemba knows this. As one of the most innovative designers in the fashion industry and the founder of the brand Hanifa, her creative eye and business prowess have led her to dress top fashionistas including Zendaya, Trace Ellis Ross, Bella Hadid, and more. ELLE.com sat down with Mvuemba to unpack her Congolese roots, her U.S. upbringing, and how her imagination has led the Hanifa brand to new heights.